Fertility Treatment

Researching fertility treatments and doctors can be a daunting task. Luckily, you are in the right place to do both — and do them effectively! The Leading Medical Clinics team has compiled a list of common fertility treatments, including those offered by the fertility doctors and clinics in our network. And since all of the doctors in our network are voted top of their field by peers and patients, you have everything you need to start on the path to treatment.

Diagnosing Fertility Problems

An effective diagnosis for infertility typically involves an examination of both partners. This will typically include hormone tests for both partners, as irregular hormone levels can point to ovulation problems or sperm production problems. A woman will be given a pelvic exam and pap smear, and the doctor will check her fallopian tubes for signs of blockage and/or damage. She may also be given further testing to monitor her ovulation. Other tests, including cervical mucus and ultrasound tests, may also be administered to the female partner.

A man will have his semen analyzed for sperm quality and quantity. The doctor may also test his blood to check testosterone levels. In addition to these tests, the doctor may wish to check his urine for the presence of white blood cells (which may indicate an infection) or the presence of sperm (which may indicate retrograde ejaculation).

A physical examination of both partners and a discussion of their medical history and lifestyle habits will also be considered when determining possible causes of infertility.

Popular Fertility Treatments

In Vitro Fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the name for a series of procedures that use retrieved eggs from a woman and sperm from a man and join them together in a laboratory glass dish for fertilization to occur. Once the woman’s egg has been fertilized, it is then implanted into her uterus for gestation.

Egg Donor IVF

Egg Donor IVF (Oocyte Donation, Ovum Donation, Donor Egg) is used in place of a standard IVF treatment for women who have a low number of eggs or poor egg quality. The egg donor IVF process uses donor eggs (eggs retrieved from another woman) for the egg fertilization process. Once fertilized, the embryo is then implanted into the womb of the female patient.

Intrauterine Insemination

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a form of artificial insemination that places sperm (whether from a donor or partner) directly into a woman’s uterus while she is ovulating in order to increase the chances of egg fertilization.

Gestational Carriers

Gestational Carriers (Surrogacy) are often used in cases where, for one reason or another, a woman cannot carry the pregnancy. This method involves the surgical insertion of an embryo created by IVF into a surrogate for gestation. The IVF process may include eggs and sperm from one or both intended parents, or from donors. Once the surrogate has carried the pregnancy to full term, it is then given to the intended parents.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is sometimes used during the IVF process to inject the sperm directly into the egg to increase the chance of fertilization. This method is often used to treat infertility problems that are sperm-related.

Fertility Treatment Options

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is an optional screening test used in IVF treatments in order to check embryos for chromosomes (used for gender selection) and/or for the presence of genetic or chromosomal disorders that may cause a baby to be born with a disease or disorder (such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis).

Gender Selection

Gender Selection is a process that can be used to select a baby’s gender prior to conception. This is accomplished through sperm sorting (selecting sperm based on whether they carry male or female chromosomes) for use during IVF treatment.

Finding a Fertility Clinic You Can Trust

If you are considering being treated for infertility, you are likely doing thorough research on fertility clinics in order to find one you can trust. Not sure what to look for? With so many choices of clinics out there, you need a way to determine which is best. At Leading Medical Clinics, we use an international medical advisory board made up of the most highly respected healthcare professionals in the world to review thousands of doctors and clinics across the globe. This rigorous and careful evaluation process allows us to separate the best from the rest, and include them in our list of healthcare practitioners. For this reason, we are proud to say that all of the fertility doctors in our network are:

Board-certified

Well-respected by peers

Positively reviewed by patients

Ranked as a top medical practitioner in their field

In good standing with their medical board(s)

Operating from a clinic that upholds the highest level of healthcare standards